The Challenge of the Hardcore Gar
The ga "Elden Soul" is famous.
And it's not just among gars. Due to its signature difficult gaplay and unique atmosphere, it was considered a must-play title for any strear, regardless of "spicy" or "mild" content.
Its popularity ant there were plenty of Elden Soul communities, but if you had to pick the most active one, nine out of ten people would choose this place.
That was "Elden Soul ta," or "Elsota" in short, operated by taGar.
It was a site where plenty of Elden Soul players gathered, so posts ranged from casual chats to guides and tips, pVP matchmaking, and more.
But today was different.
[Started with Godple's Shaman (999 )]
[What's with this 3-minute cooking, crazy lol (999 )]
[A secret place popped up even in the graveyard! (999 )]
[Shocking! Gravekeeper was actually **!? (999 )]
[Add Dongkang challenge lolol (999 )]
At the top of the charts wasn't any other category—it was "strear."
The order perfectly mirrored the flow of the broadcasts. It wasn't a coincidence: viewers were uploading clip posts in real ti as they watched.
[-Who's Godple again?]
[-Unless he's Eclipse-level, chill out a bit]
[-What guts does he have to pick Shaman on his first run lol]
[-Another agro strear showed up lol]
[-Didn't this strear at least do the ta interview?]
If you didn't know Purple, the initial comnts were negative. Many strears had chosen the Shaman background on their first playthrough, gotten wrecked, and then blad the ga.
But this sentint quickly flipped.
[-What the heck]
[-Was it really a 3-minute clear?]
[-Cleared "narrow escape" in 3 minutes lolol]
[-Wow... this is insane]
[-Obvious by a noodle-dripping viewer lol]
The graveyard's fiendishly trapped section—a place called "narrow escape" because it changed through 941 patterns, and was said you'd need to try it 941 tis to clear it.
A video of soone clearing it in only three minutes was enough to stun the community.
[-Wait;;; even Eclipse died here over 400 tis, right?]
[na Yeah lol took almost an hour I think?]
[na Honestly, I thought even that was amazing lol]
[na But now there's a 3-minute clear]
[-Is this an edit? Or is it fake?]
[na It was a live clip, lol]
[na How much effort would it take to fake sothing like this? lol]
[na Seriously lol you'd have to edit all the chat window, too]
[na Faking this perfectly is even harder, damn]
No one disregarded Purple anymore. Fans of Elden Soul precisely understood the ga's difficulty, and respected real skill.
[-Dodged instant death falls instantly]
[na The waiting undead must feel awkward lol]
[na Now that's real skill lol]
[na Not this spot, but falling to your death always makes you wanna quit the ga lol]
[-Wait;; No matter how much I watch, I can't see anything?]
[na Human eyes can't see it lol]
[na There really is a hidden place. I have nothing to say...]
[na I still couldn't find it even knowing where it is]
From the third video, the comnts shifted. The mood beca serious—it was about the content of the ga now.
[-Lol, this is 100% hardcore player-only stuff. Forcing you to use a broken greatsword]
[na What are you talking about?]
[na You gotta use your weapon while sticking to the wall like Purple, but that totally ruins durability]
[na For real lol, you can only last with a broken greatsword]
[na That hand axe is probably going to break after a couple swings, too]
[-Who's the knight in the secret place? Any connection to the previous ga?]
[na No idea;; not enough info]
[na But the "unknown" tag isn't there for no reason]
[na For real lol, with From gas, no clues just an it's even more important]
[na Wow... this is definitely connected to the main story]
[na That stone tablet, too... I'm so curious]
[na Now I have to watch the broadcast live lol]
Their affection birthed sharp analysis. Naturally, they checked the next post.
[-Lol, just totally playing with the Gravekeeper]
[-Filter's all torn up, man!]
[-Is this really Elden Soul?]
[-Wait;;; Since when can you do this kind of action in a From ga?]
[-What?! Gravekeeper used to be a knight?!]
[na Wow lol, this one's dizzying]
[na That greatsword looks so cool!]
[na They even gave the tutorial boss a phase 2, what the heck...]
[-Did I just see a shaman split sword energy?]
[na Crazy lol, with just the first shaman spell lol]
[na What was it? Ember in the Ashes, right?]
[na Yeah, it's an enchant, not an aura lol]
[na Wow... Even Eclipse just parried with his aura, didn't he?]
[na Right lol, and that was a parry, not a split]
[na That was amazing too, but this was just on another level]
[na Broken lol challenge lolol]
[-Godkeeper's dialogue hit hard ㅠㅠ]
[na Tell us his backstory, please!]
[na Why did he give up being a knight?! Why was he guarding the graveyard?!]
[na From-style storytelling, spicy as ever, huh?]
[na But that's what makes it great lol]
[na Then are you not going to play? lol]
The post about the Gravekeeper's awakening drew the most comnts. And, true to the Elden Soul community, a new post appeared.
[Proof found: Gravekeeper used to be a knight!]
The content was simple.
It compared the attack animation of a greatsword knight enemy in the royal castle with the Gravekeeper's, using a so-called " gif."
[-Lol, it's obvious when you look at it like this]
[na It's really similar... How didn't we notice?]
[na The Gravekeeper's big size definitely helps]
[na FromSoft always gave us the hints lol]
[-Damn, how are you supposed to figure that out?]
[na Amazingly, godple found this out without even knowing about the greatsword knight lol]
[na Insane attention to detail]
[na What even... Did he learn swordsmanship in real life or what?]
[na Saw in an interview he did boxing?]
[na That's completely unrelated, damn lol]
Even veteran players had never noticed, yet Purple had figured it out imdiately.
Questions started piling up, and one comnt drew everyone's attention.
[-Wait, could this be... The lee test?]
[na Can you explain for ?]
[na Referring to Geno's Anatomy of a Master content]
[na Oh, right. The one where you fight dummies with various weapon types]
[na So he rembered the dummy's movents and matched them? Is that even possible?]
[na Man lol, this calls for ga analysis content]
[na Seriously, he's a genius]
[na Need to watch the full video]
[-If you search Purple on Q-tube, it's all just purple stuff]
[na Search for strear Purple, are you dumb?]
[na Or just go to the Tri channel lol]
[na You must be jealous or sothing, right?]
[na Elden boors are kind to noobs but ruthless to beggars lol]
Short clip videos just weren't enough. People flocked to Q-tube and the Tri channel.
With that, the community lulled for a bit. But soon, a new post appeared.
[(Fan post) Grabbed Japanese Elden fans' reactions right away lol]
[Spread the best clips on Two. CH and got instant reaction lol
Korean "Broken One" is like this.
(Clip1)
(Clip2)
(Clip3)
(Clip4)
2.
What is this monster?
3.
It's so good, I burst out laughing wwww
He's on god-tier level!
4.
》3
Gross wwwww
But if I'd had a drink, I'd have spit it out too
5.
Damn, why no subtitles?
I can't understand any dialogue!
6
》5
Don't you have a younger sister or a nuna?
Or maybe your mom is a BTX fan wwwww
7
》6
That totally works wwwww
I asked my little sister, she translated it imdiately
8
Guess this proves Koreans have gaming genes
9
Pahepootoo Puree?
First ti hearing that
10.
》9
Do you know Ekuripusu?
But I think this guy's better wwwww
11
Why don't we have anyone like that in Japan?
12
》11
Maybe because "ne" hasn't stepped up yet?
13
》12
Unexpectedly moving wwwww
14.
Japan is good at making gas.
But Korea is better at playing them.
15
》14
It's like Japan is paying Korea tribute in the form of gas lololol
16
I think it's a pro voice actor's play
And a really skilled one at that
17
》16
If From hires this guy, sales will go up 200%! wwwww
18
He's definitely a normie, just die!
19
》18
You went all out, I burst out laughing wwwww
20
All of this is amazing.
Both this guy and this whole thread wwwww]
FromSoftware, the developer of the Elden series, was originally a Japanese company. Japanese gars had a sort of pride about being the "ho country."
[-Dude lol, they're just straight-up using English pronunciations]
[na For real lol, took a while to figure out "pahepootoo puree"]
[na Twisting it around lololol]
[na Lol, so is "Ekuripusu"
Eclipse?]
[na That's killing lol, upvotes damn lol]
[-Are Korean girls good at Japanese?]
[na Yeah, for so reason there's a lot of interest in Korean culture]
[na But honestly, virtual idols are more popular in Japan lol]
[na You know a lot about that too, huh HOXY Elden boor?]
[na Gotcha, huh?]
[-Japan only "makes" good gas lol]
[na Didn't expect Japanese people to know Eclipse lol]
[na Why do they spit out their drinks at everything lol]
[na It's globally recognized that Koreans are good at gas lol]
[na But Purple is crazily good lol]
[na Really, it's god-tier level]
[na Honestly, godple could represent Korea]
[na Korea? Could represent all of humanity]
[na What, is he going to fight aliens now? lol]
[na Glory to Godple! ＼[ ]/]
Purple received the complints, but readers felt the pride. The "Korea vs. Japan" fra sparked a sense of belonging, and built friendly feelings towards Purple.
Posts about "overseas reactions" spread, not just in the ga community but to others too.
Not long after, another post appeared on Elsota.
[I'm the Elden boor who wrote about the Japanese reactions. Got plagiarized instantly lol]
[I don't care if it spreads to other communities, but didn't expect nationalistic lecca channels to snatch it lol
〈Proof once again that Korea is a gaming powerhouse!
The country that dominates world gas, silencing Japan with a single play!
A K-strear who makes Japanese netizens instantly surrender, little Boy-level!〉
What even is that thumbnail? This is insane, lol]
Q-tube channels specializing in so-called "nationalist hype" videos had grabbed that post and made a video from it.
[-Wow lol, I feel dizzy]
[-The clickbait is nuts lol]
[-Who actually watches that?]
[-Little lol boy lol]
[-What, is he Little Purple?]
[-Godple's as nuclear as it gets lol]
[-They didn't get the original author's permission, take it down!]
[-This'll 100% go around the community lol]
Maybe because of the original author's complaint, the video was quickly taken down. However, the intense thumbnail image kept spreading on the community.
And the aftershock hit Purple's fan page.
[PerfectPlay viewers! Sign the surrender!]
[(Little Boy bomb photo)
(Signing of Japanese surrender docunt photo)
"I... solemnly promise to abide by Godple's end of stream..."]
[-What even is this lololol]
[-Wanna try the Little Purple flavor?]
[-Seriously funny lololol]
[-Are you sane? Lololol]
A post by soone began to spread like a trend.
[If you're Korean, sign now!]
[(PerfectPlay logo)
"Subscription... like... turn on notifications..."]
[Undead! Sign now!]
["I... dedicate my soul... to Godple."]
[NewtonLord! Sign now!]
["Coaching... ten million won... thank you..."]
Parodies popped up in a flood.
Late at night, "surrender signature" and "Little Purple" beca s for Purple.
* * *
The next morning.
Lee Gyeongbok finished his morning workout, part of his daily routine.
"Hoo..."
He exhaled lightly, beads of sweat trickling down his bulging muscles. The sunlight cut into shards, casting shadowy lines across his skin.
After a thorough shower, he swung open the fridge with force.
"Ah, not much left."
There were only a few chicken breasts left—his go-to for protein intake. Out of habit, he turned on his smart link.
[PerfectPlay]
[Subscribers: 532K]
There was the Q-tube channel he'd checked last night before bed.
Thirty thousand new subscribers had been added overnight, and the highlights video Choi Byeonghun had uploaded already had over 200,000 views.
His satisfied smile flickered.
'This...?'
What caught his eye was a recomnded video.
[Protein Powder Guide! Part 1]
[Muscle Gallery]
He rembered stopping halfway through the video, uploaded about a year ago. Back then, as an office worker, buying expensive protein powder was a luxury for Lee Gyeongbok.
"Hah..."
He let out a hollow laugh.
"They say habits are hard to break."
Dry chicken breast... and all those years spent searching for the lowest prices. The ti invested to save even ten won per product.
The mories flashed through his mind, and then Lee Gyeongbok suddenly beca aware of his current self.
'This is why people say those who've tasted luxuries want more. You have to know how to spend once you earn.'
A year ago, or even just a month ago, he'd never have imagined thinking this way.
But now, things were different.
He'd already earned more money than his annual salary at his company just a month ago.
Lee Gyeongbok imdiately opened the search bar.
But the keyword wasn't chicken breast.
"This is expensive."
The base price for these products started at over 300,000 won. He hesitated only for a second.
What bothered him more was the shipping ti. Since they were foreign products, most would take at least a week to arrive.
'Not like there's no solution.'
With a small smile, Lee Gyeongbok quickly got dressed.
* * *
On a weekday morning, the first floor of the departnt store was quiet. There were a few children and moms on outings, but they headed straight for the escalator.
Because of that, the staff in the luxury shops spent their spare ti chatting idly.
Just then, a man entered.
Jeans, a white T-shirt, and a long black cardigan—he looked totally ordinary.
But the staff instantly beca alert, as if soldiers going on high alert.
"Wasn't there supposed to be a VIP today?"
"No, didn't hear anything...?"
"Wow... he's really handso."
There's a saying that real rich people don't dress up when they co to departnt stores.
So really don't, and since that saying spread, even the nouveau riche stopped worrying about their outfits.
So the way employees sized up wealthy custors changed.
"Is that really a guy's skin?"
"Maybe he's an idol trainee?"
"I don't see a manager, looks like he ca alone?"
Now, a custor's skin was the new standard.
Beneath his slightly wavy hair was flawless skin.
You'd need to spend a fortune at a dermatology clinic to get skin like that.
The staff tensed, not knowing which shop he'd walk into.
But, betraying their expectations, he headed for the escalator down to the basent.
'There's definitely a section just for imports.'
The man, Lee Gyeongbok, wasn't seeking luxury goods on the first floor. He went to the "Health/Food" section in the basent, looking for the corner dedicated to imported products.
He found what he wanted.
But the price...
'Of course, it's more expensive than buying it direct online.'
A product that cost 300,000 won online was 500,000 won here. But Lee Gyeongbok didn't think twice.
'This is why you need to make a lot of money.'
Once, he'd have agonized a hundred, a thousand tis over this purchase. He'd have worried how much more he'd have to work to make up for this spending, or wondered all the other things he could do with this money.
But now it was different.
'Money gives you freedom.'
Lee Gyeongbok felt it.
It wasn't just having a high inco, or a lot of money. Wealth guaranteed the freedom to choose.
The fact that he could spend this money and not have to give up sothing else—this gave him imnse joy.
"Thank you."
Smiling contentedly, he paid, and turned to go. As he hurried toward the exit, sothing caught his eye.
'... Hm?'
A mid-range costics shop beloved by young students. Lee Gyeongbok never cared about costics beyond basic skin cream and lotion.
What he noticed was the small screen at the store's entrance playing an advertisent.
〈No worries for P. E. class!〉
A smiling schoolgirl with a ponytail spoke cheerily, dressed in gym clothes.
〈No worries on dates!〉
A young college woman, cycling through a park, smiled in the next scene.
〈Even "Nara" says this is enough!〉
The screen changed again, showing a stage. On it stood a striking beauty: porcelain skin, sharp jaw, prominent features. She wore a form-fitting stage outfit, and she was the sa person as the schoolgirl and the college student from before.
[Exclusive model 'Sweeties' mber 'Nara']
She was a mber of the popular girl group "Sweeties."
Lee Gyeongbok's glabella creased.
It wasn't just her looks that caught his eye.
'Strange.'
There was a weird sense of déjà vu.
Lee Gyeongbok quickly realized why.
'... NewtonLord?'
During their showdown in Gunner Ground, his sixth sense had picked out the silhouette beneath NewtonLord's combat outfit.
The lines he'd seen in his head then matched the figure of Nara in the ad.
'No way.'
He scoffed inwardly. Why would a girl group idol bother stream sniping?
And while untrained bodies could vary, trained bodies tended to look the sa.
He didn't think on it further.
Woong—the vibration interrupted his thoughts.
"Oh, juho."
It was a call from his manager, Park Juho.
〈I forwarded you an email. Did you see it?〉
"An email? No, I'm out right now. Is there so kind of issue?"
Lee Gyeongbok's question wasn't imdiately answered. Instead, Park Juho paused, picking his words.
〈Not sure if you'd call it an issue...〉
"What is it?"
〈You got a challenge letter.〉
A challenge letter.
At the unfamiliar words, Lee Gyeongbok stopped in his tracks.
〈Elden Soul's top strear, Eclipse, sent you a mail.〉
User Comments
0 comments from readers